this happened

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8th grade industrial design

Do you all remember the 8th grade?  I think that was one of my favorite years.  I adored my friends (remained true, but I think I was in full-on queen bee mode at the time); I was a starter on the soccer team (that uhhh...didn't last); I could get out of anything by saying I had to go to Student Council (WHY CAN'T THAT WORK IN COLLEGE/REAL LIFE??); and my little sister was a 6th grader, so we were finally in the same school again (I forced her to go to my college, too).  Yes, I had some great teachers that year, and I vaguely remember some interesting projects (turning each classroom on our hallway into a different continent - that was a good one), but all in all 8th grade ruled because I had tons of friends and lots of boyfriends and that was post-Columbine so we had lots of "lock in" drills during which we were confined to our classrooms for several hours, during which time we watched Apollo 13 and gossiped.

That being said, CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW COOL 8TH GRADE WOULD HAVE BEEN IF YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS??

There are several more videos that document the rest of the process on the Tools at Schools Vimeo Page, and they are all just as charming and interesting.

I learned about this project via Fast Company's Design blog and the post here.  I highly recommend checking both out for some ideas/products/designs that will rock your world, even if you are not the least bit visually creative yourself (comme moi).

There's a slideshow of images from the project here, and I've picked my favorite renderings:

NOTE -SLOT AND DOORKNOB-LOCK LOVE LOVE LOVE

interchangeable parts based on the subject; whiteboard surface, COAT HOOK

the chair can recline/bounce, there's storage, AND IT'S FAUX SUEDE SO YOUR SHORTS-CLAD SWEATY BARE LEGS WON'T STICK TO IT! GENIUS!

 source for all images

Kinda makes me want to go back to 8th grade (and can I have one of those love-letter-lockers while I'm at it?)

all hail the pubscout (aka, I'm a sucker for flattery)

As I mentioned, we met a dude named Kurt Epps in Key West at The Porch, who has a blog called The Pub Scout in which he included a post about his own trip to Key West, in which resides the following paragraph:

Another bar that was a must-visit was a place called The Porch. If you love craft beer in all its diversity, do not miss this place. It's in a former mansion called the Porter mansion. Be forewarned, however, that you'll need to acquire your victual elsewhere, as there is no food served here. Chris Shultz, the amiable, free-spirited owner, didn't want the hassles of staff, kitchen regs, etc. He simply dreamed of opening a bar that had the finest beers available, and that he has done exceptionally well. A glance at some of the photos on the right will attest to the wide range of offerings. On my visit I opted for DogFish head's My Antonia. Two, to be precise. And I drank them seated next to a lovely young couple named Chris and Taylor. Taylor, a stunning beauty, initially drank wine, but I browbeat and embarrassed her sufficiently that she went the beer route after one glass. When I asked Chris which beer was his best seller, he answered emphatically, "Magic Hat #9, without question."

Aw, shucks.  Thanks Kurt!

Besides the hyperbolic flattery, Kurt is also the man because he captured the one and only photo of Chris and me from the trip!

source

If you're into beer, motorcycles, and/or travel, go give the Pub Scout some love (not literally, he's happily married, but you know).

go read modg

One of my favorite blogs to read and a member of the ultra-exclusive People With Babies Who Don't Suck folder on my Google reader, MODG, was recently told by a literary agent to "expand her following" - this chick makes me laugh every day, so I figure I'll do what I can to help her with said expansion. 

Some of my fave posts from the archives:

• I thought breast pumps were shoes. truth.
• And the Cleanse was no longer clean.
• What college really means to me.
• Confession Friday: BOOBS BOOBS BOOBS!
• My friend is getting the poop sucked out of her butt by another person.
• 3 years ago today I married B. And this post is for him. (hearts and rainbows B)
• I found some witchcraft that you pee on and it tells you the future. Should we believe it?
• The final installment of my butt story. That’s what she said.

Enjoy.  And add her to your Reader, friends!